Automobile suspension system



\ 0a.. 25, 1938. g. CABASSA 2,134,599

AUTOMOBILE SUSPENSION SYSTEM Filed Nov. 22, 1957 Patented Oct. 25,1938 lI; @211 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to a vehiclesuspension system of the type equipped with individual wheelsuspensions, and an object of the present invention is to improve thepivotal connections be- 5 tween the frame of the vehicle and the lowerpivotal arms that serve 'to connect the wheel assemblies of a motorvehicle with the frame of thevehicle; such automobile suspension systemsbeing otherwise known as the parallelogram linkage system.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will bebestunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing wherein:--

Figure 1 is a fragmentary detail elevational View illustrating theapplication of the invention,

and

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on theline 22 of Figure 1.

7 Referring to the drawing by reference numerals it will be seen thatthe dirigible road wheel 5 of the vehicle is carried on awheel-supporting member, such as a knuckle bracket support member 6.

As is well-known in the art the knuckle bracket support member 6 ispivotally mounted between the outer ends of laterally extending links 7and 8V-shaped in plan, which are pivoted one above the other to thefront cross member 9 of the vehicle frame, so as to be capable ofswinging motion in a substantially vertical plane. The pivot axis forthe link 1 is conventional and indicated by the reference numeral IIIwhile the pivot axis for the link 8 is indicated by the reference .35numeral H and it is to'improvements in this pivot axis I l to which thepresent invention is directed. As may be also noted, and as shown, thereis interposed between the link 8 and the frame cross member 9 a coilspring I 2 that resiliently 40 restrains upward swinging movement of thelinkage relative to the frame of the vehicle.

In accordance with the present invention the pivot axis l l for the link8 embodies, as is somewhat conventional, a bearing bracket l3 bolted orotherwise secured to'the underside of the frame member 9 as at I4.Extending through the bracket I3 is a pivot rod I5, and in accordancewith the present invention the pivot rod l5 in- 5 wardlyfrom therespective opposite ends thereof is providedwith collars l6'whichaccommodate therebetween the bearing bracket it.

Also at each end thereof the bearing rod I5 is' adapted tobeaccommodated within the bearing 55 eye ll, the arms of the V-shaped link8 at the free ends thereof being provided with such bearing eyes I! asshown.

At said ends thereof the pivot rod l5 is reduced in diameter as at l8and the bearing eyes ll of the arms of link 8 are provided with in- 5ternal grooves or recesses l9 that are concentric to the reducedportions I 8 of the pivot rod I5 in order to accommodate, as clearlyshown in Figure 2, suitable bearing assemblies 2i.

The bearing assemblies 2| are retained within 10 the eyes I! through themedium of washers or cover plates 22 and nuts 23 threaded on theterminals 24 of the pivot rod I5.

A salient feature of the present invention is in providing the bearings2| whereby friction is 15 reduced to a minimum to the end that verylittle if any wear will take place so that at all times a good fitbetween the bearing eye-equipped ends of the arms of link 8 and thepivot rod IE will be had. 20

In this connection it may be stated that an objection to the presenttype of pivot axis for the lower link corresponding to the link 8 inthis type of independent wheel suspension is the constant wear on theparts with consequent loss 25 of efficiency.

' Also for maintaining the parts well lubricated the bearing eye I 1 oneach of the link arms is equipped with a lubricant fitting 25 of anysuitable and well-known, construction. '30

It will thus be seen that in accordance with the present invention anefficient yet simple type of pivotal connection between the link 8 andthe frame 9 is had and that such connection embodying anti-frictiondevices as illustrated and being so equipped so as to be well lubricatedat all times, wear on the parts will be reduced to a minimum and theaction of the parts more positive and efiicient over a greater period oftime. 7 40 It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction,utility and advantages of an' invention of this character will be hadwithout a more detailed description,

Having thus described the invention. what-is claimed as new is:-

In an independent wheel suspension for a vehicle embodying a chassis,means for supporting a wheel spindle, and means flexibly connecting saidsupporting means to said chassis including a bracket fixed to thechassis, a pivot rod extending through the bracket with its oppositeends extending beyond the same, said rod having a pair of disk-likecollars fitting against opposite sides of the bracket, respectively, andthreaded terminals, and being stepped intermediate the collars andterminals at each end to provide a pair of shoulders thereon adjacentthe collars, respectively, and reduced portions intermediate saidshoulders and terminals, a V-shaped lower link pivotally connected atits convergent end to said supporting means and having bearing eyes atits divergent ends surrounding said rod intermediate the collars andterminals in spaced relation thereto, anti-friction assembliescountersunk in the outer faces of the bearing eyes and fitting over saidreduced portions, a pair of washers on said threaded terminals coveringthe antifriction assemblies, and nuts on said threaded terminals bearingagainst the washers.

IRVING CABASSA.

